Compact image pickup module

• US 20040119968A1
• Filed: 12/24/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hartlove, Jason T., Ma, Guolin
• Granted Patent: US 7,050,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1324 by using geometrical optics, e.g. using prisms G06V40/1312 takes precedence

Abstract

An image pickup module made of clear polymer includes an imaging surface, a first mirror, and a second mirror. An object is placed on the imaging surface for imaging. Incident light reflects off the imaging surface. The first of the two mirrors directs the reflected light toward the second mirror. The second mirror directs the directed light toward an image sensor. The two mirrors focus the reflected light on the imaging sensor which converts the focused light to electronic signals to be processed by a microcontroller. The use of the mirrors to direct the reflected light (embodying the image information) has the effect of having a relatively long focal length within a relatively short image pickup module design thereby allowing the pickup module to be manufactured having reduced height compared to prior art pickup modules. The reduced height allows for manufacture of smaller, more convenient image pickup devices such as mobile telephone, security scanners, and computer mouse.

Claims

1. An image pickup module comprising:

an imaging surface on which an object is placed for imaging, the imaging surface reflecting incident light;

a first mirror for directing the reflected light toward a second mirror; and

the second mirror for directing the directed light toward an image sensor.

2. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 wherein said image pickup module comprises clear polymer.

3. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 wherein said image pickup module has a height ranging from five mm to 20 mm.

4. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 wherein said image pickup module has a depth ranging from two mm to three mm.

5. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 further comprising a light source adapted to provide the incident light.

6. The image pickup module recited in claim 5 wherein said light source emits mostly green light.

7. The image pickup module recited in claim 5 wherein said light source emits mostly red light.

8. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 wherein said first mirror is slightly concave.

9. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 wherein said first mirror has a width ranging from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

10. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 wherein said second mirror is slightly convex.

11. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 wherein said second mirror has a width ranging from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

12. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 wherein said first mirror and said second mirror focuses the reflected light onto said image sensor.

13. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 further comprising a light shield to shield the incident light from said second mirror, said light shield defining an aperture allowing the directed light to pass through the aperture.

14. The image pickup module recited in claim 1 wherein said image sensor is a CMOS sensor array.

16. The electronic apparatus recited in claim 14 further comprising storage connected to said microcontroller adapted to store the electronic signals.

17. The electronic apparatus recited in claim 14 further comprising an interface, circuit, connected to the microcontroller, enabling the electronic apparatus to communicate with a computer system.

18. The electronic apparatus recited in claim 14 wherein the electronic apparatus is a computer pointing device.

19. The electronic apparatus recited in claim 14 wherein the electronic apparatus is a computer pointing device.

20. The electronic apparatus recited in claim 14 further comprising a light shield to shield the incident light from said second mirror, said light shield defining an aperture allowing the directed light to pass through the aperture.

15. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a light source adapted to provide light incident on an imaging surface;

an image pickup module comprising;

the imaging surface on which an object is placed for imaging, the imaging surface reflecting the incident light;

a first mirror directing the reflected light toward a second mirror;

the second mirror directing the directed light toward an image sensor;

the image sensor adapted to convert the twice directed light into electronic signals; and

a microcontroller connected to the image sensor, adapted to process the electronic signals.